Country information of Botswana

In Botswana, there is a subtropical savannah and semi-desert climate. As the country is located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those in Europe. In summer, which lasts from November to March, temperatures often reach up to 35 degrees Celsius. The summer rainy season starts in November and usually lasts until March. The rainfall usually occurs in short, heavy showers with thunderstorms on an average of 9 days per month. In winter, there are pleasant daytime temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius. At night, temperatures occasionally drop below freezing.

Botswana attracts visitors from all over the world, especially due to its fascinating flora and fauna. The so-called 'Big 5' - elephant, rhinoceros, lion, buffalo, and leopard, as well as numerous other wildlife, call the endless expanses of the country their home. Two-thirds of Botswana are covered by savannah, where acacias and thorn bushes are particularly common. In the north of the country, there are exotic mopane and combretum forests with marula and mongongo trees.

The months of April to October are considered the best time to travel to Botswana. The dry season is ideal for wildlife viewing on a safari in the Okavango Delta. Due to the rare rainfall, there are only a few water sources in the country during the dry season. The water holes attract numerous wild animals looking to quench their thirst. Botswana is also worth a visit during the rainy season from November to March. During the summer months, dense vegetation makes large parts of the country shine in lush green. In the Kalahari Desert, visitors can encounter a spectacular blooming plant world and numerous wild animals such as lions, zebras, and wildebeests.

The currency of Botswana is the Pula. One Pula is divided into 100 Thebe. In Botswana, banknotes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Pula. There are coins worth 1 and 2 Pula, as well as 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Thebe. Currently, one Euro is approximately equal to 13 Pula. You can find the current exchange rate online.

Most major hotels in the country accept common credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard. In larger cities, card payments are also possible in some restaurants. However, most shops, gas stations, restaurants, and smaller hotels only accept cash payments. Especially when traveling to the rural regions of the country, it is essential to carry a sufficient amount of cash in the local currency.

Currency exchange offices and banks are located in all major cities of the country. Some hotels also offer currency exchange services. For security reasons, it is advisable to exchange money directly upon arrival at the airport. In urban areas of Botswana, there are ATMs where you can withdraw cash in the local currency. However, it is important to note that high fees may apply. Since the Foreign Office warns against manipulated ATMs, special caution is advised when using ATMs.

Botswana is considered one of the safest countries in Africa. Due to the good functioning of the state order, the crime rate in the whole country is quite low. The Federal Foreign Office currently does not see any country-specific security risks for the country in southern Africa.

Street crime in Botswana is mostly limited to credit card theft and pickpocketing in larger cities. Especially jewelry and cameras are considered desirable items for thieves. To avoid attracting potential thieves, you should avoid openly displaying valuables. It is recommended to store valuable jewelry and important documents in the hotel safe. In most cases, it is sufficient to carry copies of your identity documents on excursions.

Especially in larger cities, it is advisable to avoid nighttime walks away from main streets. However, in a rental car, you can safely move within the city even after dark. However, driving outside the cities should only be done during the day. Nighttime drives pose an unpredictable risk as the roads are sometimes in poor condition. Additionally, larger wild animals often cross the road.

The first official language of Botswana is Setswana. The Bantu language is the main language of the Tswana and the mother tongue of a large part of the population. It is understood and spoken by about 90 percent of the country's population. Setswana is also the language of instruction for the first four school years.

Due to the country's colonial past, English remains the second official language of Botswana to this day. From the secondary level, all students are taught in English. All major newspapers are still published in English. Additionally, it is spoken in administration and parliamentary negotiations. Therefore, most residents of Botswana have good English skills.

Other languages that are widespread in Botswana include Kalanga and the Khoisan languages. In areas near the South African border, Afrikaans is also spoken to a limited extent. The languages of some ethnic groups in Botswana, such as the Hambukshu and the Bayei, contain elements from the click languages. Click languages are considered the most difficult languages in the world.

In most major cities in Botswana, there are occasional phone booths. Most hotels and lodges also have a telephone. However, since the telephone network in Botswana is generally underdeveloped, there is very rarely a connection to the landline in rural areas. Therefore, a large part of the Botswana population prefers to use mobile phones. The two largest providers in the country are Orange and Mascom. SIM cards for mobile phones can be purchased at affordable prices in many shops and some hotels. Many regions that are off the urban centers, however, are not in the coverage area of mobile network providers.

In contrast, using the internet in Botswana is much easier. There are numerous internet cafes in major cities, especially used by the Botswana population. Most major hotels and lodges, as well as many restaurants and cafes, have a relatively stable WLAN connection. However, when traveling to particularly remote areas, there is a possibility that neither internet nor mobile network will be available.

If you want to send a beautiful postcard from Botswana to your friends and family, you will find a post office in most major locations in the country. Additionally, you have the option to drop off your mail in many hotels. Although the mail is usually sent by airmail, you should expect a longer delivery time of up to three weeks.

Medical care in Botswana is better than in most other African countries. However, it cannot be compared to European standards. Hospitals are mainly located in the capital, Gaborone. Due to the country's size and sparse population, the journey to the nearest clinic can take a lot of time. Even in the tourist centers Maun and Kasane, there is only limited medical care available in case of illness. Especially travelers at increased risk of illness should inform themselves about treatment options locally before starting their trip.

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When it comes to medication supply in Botswana, there may be limitations. Therefore, it is important to equip your travel pharmacy so that you can treat minor illnesses yourself. Every travel pharmacy should contain remedies for insect bites, diarrhea, fever, and pain; bandages and dressing material, disinfectants, and sunscreen. Other medications such as antibiotics can be useful, especially in case of pre-existing conditions. In case of doubt, a tropical medicine specialist can assist you in putting together your travel pharmacy.

Since trips to Africa are not covered by statutory health insurance, you must take out travel health insurance before starting your journey. The additional protection must always be taken out before the start of the trip. With most health insurance companies, this is even possible on the day of departure.

Since medical care in Botswana is significantly below German standards, in the event of serious accidents and illnesses, an air ambulance to Germany may be necessary. It is advisable to clarify with the health insurance company before starting the journey whether your insurance coverage also includes costs for repatriation, hospital stays, and expensive treatments. Without adequate protection, additional costs often arise on site that must be borne by the individuals themselves. In many countries, it is common for the costs billed by hospitals and doctors to be settled before treatment or discharge.

In sparsely populated Botswana, you will find natural, colorful, and endlessly vast landscapes. On safaris, you can admire the diverse beauty of the country and encounter exotic wildlife up close. The country in southern Africa is home to dreamy nature reserves such as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park, the Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert, and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. In the lively cities and villages of the country, you can gain authentic insights into the cultures of various African peoples.

A vacation in Botswana offers variety, adventure, and relaxation. In modern, comfortable lodges, you can relax and enjoy the sun after eventful days. If you want to sleep under the spectacular African night sky, in many nature parks you even have the opportunity to stay in mobile tents. On organized tours, you can drive through the different regions of the country with experienced, local guides and make acquaintance with elephants, lions, zebras, and numerous other wild animals.

In Botswana, public holidays such as New Year's Day, Easter, Labor Day, Pentecost, and Christmas are celebrated on the same days as in Germany. Other public holidays include Seretse Khama Day on July 1, President's Days between July 17 and 21, and Botswana Days on September 30 and October 1.